Second FOI Road Show is May 10 in Jackson

JACKSON, Miss.—The second in a series of workshops promoting transparency in government and a better understanding of Mississippi’s sunshine laws is set for May 10 in Jackson.

The Freedom of Information “road show” will be held at 3 p.m. in the council chambers of City Hall on President Street.

The City of Jackson is joining the Mississippi Press Association Education Foundation in presenting the workshop, which will feature Tom Hood, executive director of the Mississippi Ethics Commission, and Leonard Van Slyke, attorney for the Mississippi Center for Freedom of Information.

The event, which is open to the public, will provide information and insight relevant to elected officials and members of the media but of interest to the public at large, too.

“We hope government officials from the metro area, as well as members of the media and the public will attend and take part in a dialog to increase awareness of Mississippi’s Public Meetings and Open Records Acts,” said Mississippi Press Association President Paul Keane, publisher of The Wayne County News. “This is the second in a series seminars on the topic we hope to hold this year in the state.”

Hood and Van Slyke will both give an overview of the state laws that govern the public’s right to know and will also take questions from the audience.

Keane said newspapers and other media in the area are strongly encouraged to attend and urged MPA members to invite local officials from their areas. Additional workshops are planned in other areas of the state.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Layne Bruce, MPA executive director, 601-981-3060.